At a big event on September 30 2021, a “Seven Feathers” crosswalk was unveiled on Albert Street (See report in Resources below). It was on the occasion of the first “Truth and Reconciliation Day” to remember the atrocities of the residential school system and the promises to First Nations that have been broken. The intention was good but the implementation not so much. The paint quality was poor and was worn away by vehicle traffic in a day. It was repainted in September 2023 with better paint but that did not wear much better so a new idea was found: a Waterfront Wisdom Pathway. This consists of a collection of 26 banners created by local Indigenous artists Rick Beaver and Koren Smoke of Alderville First Nation and displayed along the waterfront.
The community is invited to the Cobourg Marina (103 Third Street) on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 10 am for a special unveiling ceremony.
The banners, displayed on the lampposts along the Cobourg waterfront, bring vibrant expressions of storytelling, tradition, and remind us of our connections to the land. The artists selected the harbourfront location due to the significance of water to Indigenous culture.
The invitation to the ceremony from the Town said:
Artists have taken different approaches to their designs of the banners, lending variety to the viewers’ experience as they walk along the path. Koren Smoke has assumed the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers: Respect, Love, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth. Rick Beaver’s pieces showcase themes of land and water creatures, plants and flowers, and features the very real connection to the Indigenous community and its art forms.
The full invitation from the Town is available in Resources below.
Resources
- Truth and Reconciliation event – 1 October 2021 – Unveiling of Seven Feathers Crosswalk
- Announcement from Town – 11 May 2024
Print Article:
…not that my 2 cents are worth that much, but I applaud the initiative, but this is something that should be funded privately, not publicly…again, my 2 cents.
As a tangent, what exactly is the end-game of all these DEI programs? I find it a bit ironic how these disparate groups wish to just be part of society without any discrimination against them, yet at the same time want to be put on a pedestal. “We are all equal, we’re just more equal than you…”
Banners, Ribbons and Roads – Oh My!
Nothwithstanding all the well intentioned, meaningful and supposed educational intentions, at what point do we stop and wonder, “Does the average person on the street even notice”?
I’d watch a Game Show where the Host displays different coloured banners, bows and pins and ask contestants, “What associaton is this piece affiliated with?”
Personally, I think the failed painted road brought more attention than anything anybody has ever thought of yet.
“The intention was good but the implementation not so much. The paint quality was poor and was worn away by vehicle traffic in a day. It was repainted in September 2023 with better paint but that did not wear much better”
It’s curious how this same problem does not seem to affect the other painted crosswalk beside town hall.
Hang on!.
Quote:
“The artists selected the harbourfront location due to the significance of water to Indigenous culture.”
Water is significant to all cultures in the world!
We drink it, sail on it, make food with it. Ferry across Lake Ontario, ferry across everywhere. Ships etc. etc.
Is there no end to this?
What about the rest of us? Can we put flags also on the Harbourfront?
Should we have French, English, Italian, German etc. Flags there also.
What about LGBTQ etc.
How much are all these things costing Taxpayers when……Meanwhile, we have an encampment, drugs, crime and we had a 9 and half hour wait at Emergency Dept. in Cobourg Hospital yesterday May 12 2024 on Mothers Day. Should they have a Banner?
What are we doing next?
Where are the rest of us going?
Sam, you seem not to understand the significance of the Indigenous culture to our country. Read a history book.
Cap’n John,
I have read hundreds of history books and nothing, in particular, jumps out and says that water significance was, and is, as important to the rest of the inhabitants in Canada, North America, Western Hemisphere and the world!
As for “Truth and Reconciliation Day” & the alleged atrocities of the residential school system and the promises to First Nations that have been allegedly broken I would welcome knowledge of the “Cobourg” residential school system and Cobourg waterfront & Cobourg citizen’s connection to any broken treaties.
I am concerned about the broken promises to us all about safety from crime, Drugs etc. and the broken promises about our broken health care system!
I have no idea what the cost to the taxpayer of Cobourg is for the Banners on the waterfront so please advise.
I think we should deploy our scarce taxpayer dollars on urgent priorities of today!
Governments, everywhere, break promises to all their peoples.
Two thumbs up Sam!
Cap’n John, I think people are just growing ever tired of virtue signaling and pandering to specific groups while the demands, requests, needs of the ordinary citizenry are ignored – or at least I am.
It feels like taxpayers are growing increasingly frustrated with elected representatives and those employed by the Town with a lack of meaningful results for those who contribute most to Municipal coffers. I can’t think of a single improvement or anything new that I am benefiting from as a taxpayer, since this group was elected.
Perhaps I’m being too critical so I would welcome feedback…
As the Federal government calls all people of citizenship Canadian I would like to see no splintering and drawing out of grants to ethnic groups of any kind. A return to one for all and all for one would be refreshing and build a Canadian identity instead of a fractured society with various rules and laws depending on what part of the society your background is.
Dave we are all Canadians and everyone should be treated as such with no special privilege’s.
What happened in the past should stay in the past.
We have a lot of issues of our own to deal with in 2024 and going forward.
I’m glad you agree with me Sam – I am sure there are many more out there that do. The 2 down voters I could not imagine why they would unless they simply get their kicks from down voting comments.
Today there is no Canadian identify – multi culturalism does not work as shown by the numberous protests of a variety of ethnic groups. I wonder why they came here in the first place since they hold up their homelands as great virtuous, fair places to live?
Dave,
After 157 years since Confederation in 1867 it is high time the people in the Country immediately north of th 49th Parallel known as Canada and its inhabitants of all creed or colours etc. should, and be known as Canadians, or bi-lingually as the second language in our multi-lingual country Canadienne’s.
While some speak their native languages this is allowed but all are residents of one country and everyone should be treated as such Equally.
We are residents in one Bi-lingual country named Canada and citizens should act and conform as so. If not we might as well break up the country!
Rob,
You are 100% right.
Rob
i think these comments are way off topic. My comment referred to the importance of recognizing our Indigenous heritage. Nothing to do with local politics, encampments, etc. etc.
This is an important blog, but the downside is that folks get carried away with their own agenda.
Cap’n, I appreciate your opinion but I don’t think my comment was off topic; although I am guilty of occasionally straying from time to time.
My point was that as we watch Rome burn, Council and Municipal employees waste time, energy and resources on virtue signaling, pet projects. I support the arts and artists but the Town doesn’t have the basics right. The cost of living in Cobourg continues to increase and we aren’t getting value for our investment.
Its difficult to get too excited about a new art initiative when junkies are shooting meth 100 meters away and the newly announced police initiative is collecting & returning stolen property, as if it wasn’t their job to begin with.
Cap’n George
This started in response to the Artists requirement to have their banners on the Waterfront because water was/is important to Indigenous culture.
I pointed out that water was important to every inhabitant of this planet and could other ethnic groups such as French, English, German and Italian erect their own banners in this prominent location on the Harbour!
It seems that one Group is getting preferential treatment which is discriminatory.
To be truly Canadian why do we not erect PROVINCIAL Banners on the waterfront instead of one Group. This will be truly Inclusive and not prefer one group of Canadians over another.
There is no Agenda just fairness and common sense.
Could we get David Yeo of Dalian enterprises in Alderville to pay for this? Since he made all those millions through the Arrivecan scandal.
The one by the Town Hall is a flat surface, while the one on Albert is raised. That could be related to the paint’s ability to adhere correctly, my WAG.
Based on a news video June 8, 2023 from Rebel News the rainbow crosswalk was redone for weekend celebrations with Thermo Plastic Paint Sheets costing $11,000 authorized by the town. So this might be why.
wonderful idea. I look forward to seeing them.
Great idea—thanks! I cringe whenever I drive over the now-defaced crosswalk on Albert. The banners will add some colour and history to our waterfront.
I think this is a wonderful idea. It would be even better if the artists or their representatives were available to guide residents and tourists on the walk and explain the significance of each banner. This could be part of a community celebration on Canada Day for example.